U.S. Leadership On Climate Change
With five percent of the world's population, the United States nonetheless is responsible for more than 20 percent of the pollution that is accelerating climate change. With such a large share of the global total, U.S. leadership in preventing global warming pollution can make a real difference.To do its fair share in preventing catastrophic climate change, experts estimate that the United States needs to reduce its emissions at least 20 percent from current levels by 2020 and at least 80 percent by 2050. Legislative proposals with these and similar goals are currently under consideration by the U.S. Congress.
In addition to reducing global warming pollution, U.S. leadership on climate change can also help create new jobs, enhance the productivity of the U.S. economy, reduce our reliance on imported oil, deliver other environmental and health benefits and enhance our national security. It is clearly in the interest of the United States to lead a global effort to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Additional Information
- The Major Economies Forum: An Opportunity for U.S. Leadership on Climate and the Copenhagen Agreement - Pew Environment Group
- Containing Climate Change: An Opportunity for U.S. Leadership - Carter F. Bales and Richard D. Duke
- Senator John Warner testimony before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee